From the House of Mars Everyday I go out into the world to work or play and every night I come home to the House of Mars to make sense of it all

Archive for the ‘Detroit Tigers’ Tag

This is not a letter of condolence although judging by your long faces, one would think Oh Captain, Your Captain had passed away. The media coverage didn’t help, did it. I lost count of how many times the morning news flashed this live shot last Thursday –

during weather reports, when the forecaster fretted over the possibility of rain,

during the sports segment when the commentator reminded us this would be the last time Oh Captain, Your Captain would be playing in pinstripes;

when they went to the live reporter in front of the stadium a good twelve hours before that dreaded last home game would begin.

Please notice, the flags are not at half-staff.

But if I was drowning in Derek Jeter stories the morning of the last pinstripe home woe ’tis me, the morning after found me washed up on shore. But at least you were all happy. One of my most rabid Yankee fan co-workers greeted me with a beaming smile as he rhapsodized “Can you think of a better way to end a career?’

You probably are saying, aw, she’s just another Yankee hater, and that’s not true – it’s the fans….oops, let’s not go there.

What I’m saying is Choose to be happy.

Derek had a long career. He’d dreamed of being a Yankee since his first little league game. He’s said many times it was a dream come true. And if that’s not enough to put a song in your heart – He’s a multi-millionaire. He has a castle in Florida. He has a long life ahead of him with women lining up to share it with him. So come on, smile – you can do it.

Besides, I have a funny feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more of him.

Now if you excuse me, I have to psych myself for my team’s playoff game Thursday all on my lonesome……

A problem popped up the moment I drove my new car off the lot. But it’s only temporary. Come August it will vanish into thin air. How can I be so certain? Because that’s when my 90-day free trial subscription to satellite radio will expire.

Having three free months of free satellite radio is a heavy load to bear. So many stations, so little time. Did I mention it’s free?

Free Day One

On the Lot

I listen politely as my sales person goes over the small details she thinks are important – the location of the gas tank lock release, how to fold down the back seats, or since this is my first key-less entry car, which buttons to push on the little magic twanger. But within this polite shell, an impatient toe-tapping control freak grips the steering wheel biding my time until I can drive off the lot and set my stations.

On the Way to Work

All six FM stations set and I haven’t even reached the entrance ramp to the parkway. An all-time record. Thank goodness for red lights. But this is only a dry run. I have Sirius research to do.

Lunch-time

I unfold the map-like Sirius XM brochure and lay it out on my desk. 170 channels. Be still, my heart. 90 days? Uh-oh. Can I get my money’s worth? (so to speak)? Let’s see

Live Sports?every MLB game, Is Detroit included? I would like to hear Tigers’ games. But then, no, I’m not going to be in the car for every game and certainly not for the whole two hour stretch. It’s not worthy of a pre-set. I can listen as needed. And if I don’t need baseball, I certainly don’t need every NHL, NFL,NBA or college sports game.

Exclusive Entertainment ? Hmm what’s this?

Howard Stern? He gave me enough boiling-over blood pressure when he was on AM. No thanks

Oprah? I’m probably the only person who never even saw one Oprah!, so if I never saw her, why should I listen. No thanks

Martha Stewart? Hmm, I like Martha. She knows the names of the most esoteric cooking utensils you never knew existed, let alone thought you needed. If Martha’s going to show me how to use little thingy to get the meat out of the walnut after I crack it open, I should be seeing, not listening. No thanks

With Live Sports and Exclusive Entertainment off my list I’m breathing a bit easier. Let’s see.

World-class News plus Local Traffic and Weather.

Nope, I like my news served on paper.

I like seeing those weather maps and graphics even if the meteorologist is standing in front of them.

And as for traffic. By the time a traffic snafu makes its way onto the radio I’m either already in the middle of it, or it’s all cleared up.

Laugh-0ut- Loud Comedy. No, my singing out loud is enough to make people laugh

Commercial Free Music– Now that’s what I’m talking about. I fold back the rejected panels and flatten out the remaining sections on my desk. I don’t like classical or country; Pass on dance/electronic. Christian? Foreign language? No and No. That leaves Rock, Pop, and Jazz. I fold back, and out of sight, the pop and jazz sections. I don’t need any distractions

The Grateful Dead Channel? Pearl Jam Radio? E streetRadio? Channel Margaritaville? I love Bruce and Jimmy, and enjoy the Dead and the Jams but that’s like listening to albums. I like the element of surprise while I drive.

Oops my lunch hour is almost over. I grab the guide and run outside to the parking lot. Let’s see I guess I have to push this selector marked XM. Okay, now for the stations.

I’m not sure if I’m making the most out of this free trial. I think it’s time to try new stations. As long as I’m here in Kohl’s parking lot, let me get out that brochure

60’s on 6.

Oh, isn’t that cute, the peace symbol in the middle of the 0. 60’s pop hits with Cousin Brucie. Didn’t he die? Well, let’s give it a try.

‘70’s on 7.

You know, the 60’s were fun , but the 70’s, those were my glory days.

Wow look 80’s on 8.

My years in San Jose.

90’s on 9.

Why not!

I like the soul and reggae. I’ll keep them.Next stop Walmart.

Free Days Six – Thirteen

I love my commute. Choose a decade and almost every song is a trip back in time.

I Got you, Babe

1965

I’m in my freshman dorm. My room-mate, Regina and I are figuring out when it’s Sonny singing and when it’s Cher

Just the Way You are

1979

The first dance at my wedding and the band leader is channeling Billy Joel

Start Me Up

1981

Oh my God, Mick Jagger, right there on the field below us. We left the house at six to get up here to Candlestick Park. But snagging these seats make it all worthwhile.

Tears in Heaven

1993

The dreaded call at 2:20 AM. My brother has surrendered to his cancer. As I fly home to NY, I look down through the billowing mounds of white blanketing the Rockies. Jim feels close by. Can heaven really be up in the clouds? Synchronicity strikes via my Walkman and I hear Eric Clapton in my ear. He’s wondering too.

This is the only Madonna song I like. Reminds me of my MTV midlife crisis. What a video…… and then there was the Super Bowl half time show this year ……when that big guy in the flowing cape rose up through the stage! At first I thought it was that Vogue editor guy – Andre something something. But then I realized it was the guy from The Voice – Cee Jay? No, Cee Lo something………

………..Look at that police car! He’s right on my tail………… Now he has his lights going and the siren whoop whooping. Me?

“Yes officer? ”

“You know you went through that Stop sign back at the corner, Ma’am. Do you have a reason for that?”

“No, sir.”

I do have reason, a Sirius one but I don’t think divulging it would further my case.

Meta

I am trying to make sense of a world that changes daily. Blackberries,I-phones, I-pads, Bluetooths. No, blueteeth, that sounds better. And there's the rub, you see? For me, it's the words, not the things. Words are to describe moments of our lives, and that's it. That's what I'm all about. Unplugging and taking my time to experience everyday life so I can put it to words